Chico's 1078 Gallery was founded in 1981 at 1078 Humboldt Road as an artist's collective and alternative exhibition space. In 1986, the gallery became a non-profit organization and widened its mission.

Today the 1078 Gallery features exhibitions and installations by artists of cultural and geographic diversity and promotes an appreciation of contemporary and experimental works. It provides Chico residents with innovative, contemporary artists from regional, state, national and international locations.

The 1078 Gallery has been awarded exemplary status by the California Arts Council and has received several National Endowment for the Arts organization grants. It is supported, in part, by funding from the City of Chico and its Art Commission. The 1078 is widely recognized by the Chico community as being a necessary element in maintaining cultural currency in the visual arts for local residents.